www.self.com:8 Stretches That Will Help You Touch Your Toes

8 Stretches That Will Help You Touch Your Toes

Because you’re probably not stretching as much as you should.

Amber Venerable

Flexibility is one of those things that many people talk about dreamily. Like, being flexible would be nice, but sigh, it’s just a pipe dream. Except the reality is that, while some people are definitely naturally more flexible than others, if we all just took a few minutes each day to do some stretching, we’d notice improvements.

The problem is that most of us are too busy to squeeze in a workout, let alone a leisurely stretching session. Angela Salvetti, NSCA-certified personal trainer and area fitness manager at New York Sports Clubs for East Manhattan, tells SELF that almost everyone that comes into her gym is tight. “Their hamstrings and hip flexors are super tight from sitting all day,” she says. Others who do a good job of being active don’t take the time to focus on flexibility and mobility.

“People say it hurts or it’s boring or if they go for a run right before work, for example, they’re just trying to get something in and that time crunch is there,” she explains. “But a lot of people don’t know that prioritizing the extra 10 to 15 minutes [to stretch] is going to let you get more out of your workout.” When you’re tight, you have a limited range of motion, so you can only use your muscles so efficiently. “But if you have a full range, you have extra momentum and room to work.”

There are numerous other benefits to being flexible besides just increasing your strength potential. Flexibility helps prevent injury, relieves pain, and promotes good posture. It’s also helpful for just moving about daily life.

Now, without further ado, below are some stretches that can help you reach your bendiest goals.

If you’re really tight, Salvetti suggests doing a handful of these stretches every single day at whatever time of day is easiest for you to remember. “Consistency is really key,” especially if your goal is to touch your toes, she says. After a couple weeks, you should notice improvement. Just make sure that if you do them before a workout, that you do a dynamic warmup after (where you’re moving and getting your blood flowing) so your muscles are properly warmed up.

If you ever feel a pinching sensation or discomfort, come out of the stretch and try going back into it again slowly, Salvetti says. “Sometimes that helps it feel better. Or, change the angle a bit.” If you ever feel a sharp pain, stop whatever you’re doing—that doesn’t mean you’re stretching, it means you might have hurt yourself.

Hold each stretch for 30 seconds to a minute.

Amber Venerable

1

Seated Straddle

Sit down on the floor with both legs straightened out in a straddle (or “V”) position.

Inhale and on an exhale, slowly fold forward as far as you can with a flat back.

Sit back straight in a controlled motion while continuing to hold onto, and stretch, the band.

Targets: hamstrings and back

Amber Venerable

5

Lying Hamstring Stretch

Lie flat on your back, legs together and straight up in the air.

Loop a band around one foot.

Pull the leg in toward your face, feeling the stretch in the back of the leg.

Bring leg back to start. Stretch the leg out away from your body, opening up the hips.

Let leg fall as close to the ground as possible while still controlling it with the band.

Bring leg back to start. Now, stretch the leg across your body to stretch the outer thigh and butt.

Bring leg back to start and repeat the entire sequence with the other leg.

Targets: hamstrings, hips, glutes

Amber Venerable

6

Pigeon Pose

Sit with your right knee bent and open to the side and left leg extended straight behind body.

Keep your left hip pointing down toward mat. If it begins to open up toward ceiling, draw right foot back in toward body.

Walk your hands out in front of your body, allowing your chest to rest over right knee.

Targets: hips and glutes

Amber Venerable

7

Figure Four Stretch

Lie on your back.

Cross your left foot over your right quad, and bend your right knee.

Hold the back of your right leg and gently pull it toward your chest.

When you feel a comfortable stretch, hold there.

Switch sides and repeat.

Targets: glutes

Amber Venerable

8

Magic Trick

Salvetti says this exercise trains your body to send your weight back toward your butt (because your feet are imbalanced) and properly hinge forward so that you can successfully touch your toes. She calls it a magic trick, because after doing the raised toe touches, a normal toe touch feels so much easier—it’s almost like magic.

Put a stack of books on the floor.

Stand with feet completely together. Place your toes on books and heels on the floor.

Reach down and try to touch your toes. Bend your knees a little if you need to.

Come back up to start, and then repeat nine more times.

Then, reverse your stance so your heels are on the books and your toes are on the ground.

Reach down and try to touch your toes 10 times.

Step away from the books. Place feet flat on the floor and now bend down and try to touch your toes.